MUNICIPALITY OF PEREZ, QUEZON, Historical Data of

HISTORICAL DATA
OF THE
TOWN OF PEREZ

Bureau of Public Schools
Division of Quezon
DISTRICT OF ALABAT
Perez

April 14, 1953

The Division Superintendent
Lucena, Quezon
Through Channels

Sir:

I have the honor to submit herewith the report on Historical Data of the town of Perez and all its barrios. Prepared by the teachers of Perez, Quezon, in harmony with the requirements of General Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952

Very respectfully,
(signed)
BALDOMERO S. CASANOVA
Elementary School Principal

NOTED:
(signed)
VENANCIO RAMA
District Supervisor

o/a - s/t/

History and Cultural Life of the People of Perez	1-6
History and Cultural Life of the People in the Different Barrios of the Municipality
Maabot Mainit Norte Mainit Sur Pambuhan Pinagtubigan Este Pinagtubigan Weste Rizal Villamanzano Norte Villamanzano Sur	7-9 10-13 13-15 18-18 19-22 22-23 24-25 26-28 28-30

The present official name of the town is Perez.

Its former name was Sangirin. Long before the advent of the Spaniards in the Philippines, this town was already a settlement of Aetas and was known by the name of Sangirin. Its site was in the place known as Pinagbayanan which word means the place where the town was established.

It was established during the Spanish occupation in the year 1888. Being a mere settlement its status was that of a barrio and was under the jurisdiction of the “KAPITAN” of the municipality of Mauban.

Over a great number of years, the Aetas aborigines were gradually driven out of Sangirin and were supplanted by native Malayan Filipino families, notably the families of Bantocan, Rogodon, Villabroza, Manlogon, etc.

The list of the Kapitans and Tenientes from the earliest time to date are indicated below:

KAPITANES:

1. Pedro Balanc 2. Juan Rogodon 3. Vicente Villabroza 4. Anacleto Manlogon 5. Feliciano Bantocan 6. Ciriaco Rogodon

1891–1892 1893–1894 1895–1896 1897–1898 1899–1900 1901–1902

1. Julian Villabroza 2. Gregorio Aguilar 3. Pablo Manlogon 4. Felix Almadrones

1908-1912 1912-1915 1915-1917 1917-1920

1. Esperedion Regodon 2. Francisco Refaso 3. Ambrocio Escobido 4. Fortunato Almadrones

1920-1922 1922-1925 1925-1926 1926-1928

With regard to the story of this town within the jurisdiction was that its sitios was sparsely populated. The climate of Sanghirin was as it is now, healthful; the land is fertile and yielded abundant crops, and the sea and rivers were teeming with fish. Moreover, there was a great expanse of land still uncultivated and waiting for idle hands who had the patience and industry to clear the vast forests. Some inhabitants of Mauban, notably the Villarroza family, seeing that this barrio offered abundant livelihood, came and settled permanently.

There was nothing to be traced about the historical sites, structures, buildings, etc. In the meantime, certain men in Sanghirin advanced the opinion that the site of the village was not good. The site was therefore transferred to the present location.

During the Spanish occupation there are many events that took place especially the punishing and killing of Kapitans and Kasadores. The people during that time were mostly illiterates. The people during that time were mostly illiterates. Some of the kapitans were punished by the Spaniards because they were suspected of collaborating with Faustino Manlogon the most well known bandit of Sanghirin. Another one was that the so-called Embaye the well known terror of said village. The people were not contented in their living because they often hide from one place to another cause of the mistreatment of the Spaniards.

During the American occupation the people became aware in their pre-native mood of living. Little by little they are becoming civilized. They were engaged in different occupation in order to make their living. There were increased of population through constant immigration from the mainland and by the intermarriage of the inhabitants. People who inhabited from this place usually came from Mauban, Infanta, Alabat and other towns along the Lamon Bay. Later on the parents begun to send their children to school. By means of the constant migration from the mainland and by intermarriages among the inhabitants, the population growth in leaps and bounds. When people realized that the total popu-

lation had increased considerably, they began to clamor for the status of a municipality. The petition was granted in the year 1929, in which year Sanghirin was given the official status of a municipality. At that time, one of the most prominent men in the province was Filomen Poro, then Secretary of Commerce and later on Governor of the province. The town people decided then to give Sanghirin the name of Poro. This is how this town came to acquire that name.

During the Japanese occupation the municipality of Poro was frequently visited by Japanese patrols. On February 26, 1942 a permanent detachment of Japanese soldiers and Philippine Constabulary composed of Filipinos fortified the said municipality. They fortified the landing field in the barrio of Villamanzano Norte, sitio of Cagbunga about five kilometers away from the town proper.

There was no election during the occupation for it was prohibited by the Japanese. They discarded all democratic institutions and processes which the Americans had introduced. Political parties were dissolved and it was replaced by the Japanese-sponsored KALIBAPI, the only political party which was allowed to function. Free discussions of political problems were prohibited.

All books used in the schools, all articles published in newspapers, and all speeches delivered in public were strictly censored. Very few children of school age attended the schools. The children were taught Nippon-go (Japanese language).

The people were allowed to plant anything that can be eaten. There was scarcity of food because the Japanese commandeered the food from the civilians by force. Commodities such as rice, sugar, lard, matches and others were rationed through the neighborhood associations which were organized by the Japanese forces.

The people were allowed to worship in their own way. However, the people in general are Roman Catholic. This is the only freedom given by the Japanese Imperial Forces.

There were no destructions of lives and properties as well as institutions during the years 1896–1905. The people as a whole feared only the foreigners due to their size and appearance; whereas during the war of 1941–1945 there were very few casualties. No buildings or institutions were destroyed either by the Japanese or the Americans except some civilians that were killed due to the Japanese bombing of the Landing Air Field in the early part of 1945.

During the liberation period, the Philippine Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (PRRA) distributed prime commodities such as clothes, food and canned goods to the government employees as well as the civilian populace.

The most interesting customs of the people are the respect of parents, hospitality, neighborliness, and politeness, all of which are so highly valued in the homes. They are passed on to the younger members of the family through examples set by the elders and through purposeful education in the home.

The birth rate is greater than the number of deaths. For instance in 1933 the birth rate was 4.2 for each 40 persons, and the death rate was 2.1 for each 40 families.

Baptism is done only when there is a priest. The people prefer to baptize their children during Sundays and holidays. For instance, during fiesta day and Christmas, the people especially from the remote barrios go to town and have their children baptized.

The death rate is very low as compared with other municipalities. It is roughly estimated that 1.2 died out of every 400 persons every year. When a certain person died the immediate members of the family, close relatives, and friends assemble in the house where the dead person is. Before the deceased is brought to the cemetery it is passed first to the Catholic church.

During fiesta, Christmas Day, Rizal Day or National Heroes Day, the people especially from the different barrios go to town to witness what the town people are doing. For instance, during National Heroes Day the government employees, teachers both in public and private schools joined the parade. After the parade a sort of program is held in the town.

plaza where it is being witnessed by several people.

If a certain person committed a slight offense he is sent to jail, and if the offense is serious he is also sent to jail for an indefinite period of time and sometimes is forced to pay fines.

PART TWO - FOLKWAYS

Some people believe in superstitions. The ignorant, especially barrio folks, are great believers in superstitions. For example, superstitious persons sometimes kill “witches,” whom they believe to be causing the sickness of some relatives or friends. Some also believe in evil spirits. The popular names for evil spirits are asuang, natiamac, macuculam, etc.

There are few rivers but they cannot be used for navigation. The rivers are small and are only good for fishing and washing clothes.

Plants as well as animals are divided into different groups. The people are great observers of nature. They found out that there is a great need for reclassification of plants and animals. Under the plant kingdom, the people were asked to determine which plants are flowering and seed-bearing, and there are some other plants which are tall but not in a position to bear flowers and fruits. There are also some kinds of plants that live only for one season. There are also some plants that cannot stand alone without the help of other plants, and that is the vine families. Examples of animals which are considered important to human beings are the carabaos, horses, goats, pigs, and many others.

Earthquake is very seldom. Sometimes it occurs only once in five years, although the town is an island and very unstable; whereas typhoons and storms are very frequent during the months of October to January.

The most common and popular songs are the native Kundimans, such as “Bekya Mo Neneng,” “Paru-parong Bukid,” “Santa Clara,” etc.

The most well-liked games of the people are valley ball, basketball, indoor baseball and billiard, both for young and adults. These are the only amusements of the people.

Riddles are very common especially among the young generation. They have realized that riddles are one of the wealths of Tagalog literature.

The following are a few of the riddles commonly heard. However, the beauty of the riddles is lost in the English translation.

1. Baka ko sa Maynila, abot dito ang unga	1. My cow's mooing in Manila can be heard here.
2. Ang paa'y apat, hindi makalakad.	2. It has four feet, but cannot walk.
3. Di man isda, di man itik, nakakahuni kung ibig.	It is not a fish, it is not a duck, it can sing when it likes.
4. Limang magkakapatid, tigi-iisa ng silid.	4. Five brother (or sisters), each has a room.
5. Habang iyong kinakain, lalo kang gugutumin.	5. While you are eating, the more you get hungry.

1. Ang hanap sa hamog, sa tubig naaanod.	1. What from the dew you gather, must vanish with the water.
2. Ang marahang pangungusap sa puso’y nakakalunas.	2. Speaking softly soothes the heart.
3. Madaling maging tao, mahirap ang magpakatao.	3. It is easy to become a man, it is difficult to behave as one.
4. Bago gawain at sabihin, makapitong iisipin.	4. Before doing and saying anything, think it over seven times.

Transcribed from: Historical Data of the Municipality of Perez, Province of Quezon, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.